U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau numbers released in late July confirm a strong business climate for the U.S. confectionery market, the National Confectioners Association reports.

2004 Confectionery Industry Performance
	Apparent Consumption $ (in billions)	% Change	Manufacturers Shipment Pounds (in billions)	% Change
Total Confections	$17.8	+6.1%	6.2	-0.8%
Chocolate Candy	$10.0	+5.6%	3.3	-1.3%
Non-Chocolate Candy	$5.4	+7.5	2.3	+0.5%
Gum	$1.9	+4.9%	0.4	-4.3%
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce/National Confectioners Association

According to the annual 311D Report for 2004, confectionery manufacturer dollar sales (shipments plus imports less exports, termed apparent consumption) climbed 6.1 percent in 2004, reaching $17.8 billion. Apparent consumption pound sales increased by 1.7 percent to 7.3 billion pounds.

Domestic manufacturers’ shipments grew 5.9 percent in dollar sales, but were off slightly in pounds at -0.8%. Pound sales of imported candy and gum increased by 10.7 percent in 2004.

Apparent consumption chocolate candy dollar sales increased 5.6 percent in 2004, while non-chocolate candy sales, measured the same way, grew a strong 7.5 percent. Apparent consumption dollar sales for gum were up 4.9 percent. Pound shipments, based on apparent consumption, were respectively: chocolate candy, -0.1%; non-chocolate candy, + 4.6%; and gum, -1.5 percent.

On the heels of its acquisition of premium chocolate maker Scharffen Berger, The Hershey Co. has acquired the assets of Joseph Schmidt Confections Inc., a chocolate maker noted for its artistic and innovative offerings.

According to Hershey, the combined purchase price for Scharffen Berger and Joseph Schmidt will be between between $46.6 million and $61.1 million.